Monday, August 26, 2013

When trolling for blog ideas tonight on my pinterest boards I heard the Mariah Carey song "We Belong Together" play in my head when I saw these two images side-by-side.

I'm not sure why - something about the complimentary shapes and color of the pancakes and the wood just made sense. I heard the best way to come up with a new idea (or a BETTER idea) is to take two ideas and smush them together. I'm not sure it really worked out in this case, but it was fun to try!

Normally, anything I buy over $20 requires a couple of days sitting idle in my online shopping cart or in the back of my mind. But when I know it's something I love, something I will wear, something that will look good and fit right, I go in for the kill immediately.

(It also doesn't hurt that they are almost identical to the Chloe ones that will be sitting in my cart for the rest of eternity.)

Thursday, August 15, 2013

For a person that doesn't love fur, I sure do love sheepskin (faux, obviously). I have a faux sheepskin rug in my online shopping cart of almost every single furniture site I frequent.

I just can't seem to think of a place that WOULDN'T look better with a sheepskin rug nestled somewhere within it. It's got that modern/cozy vibe that everyone is after these days. What's more modern OR cozy than a great faux fur? Target's version just may have me "Checking Out" soon! What a deal!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Sometimes, you wait days for something to inspire you. And then some other times, you're watching Sex and The City with a pencil in your hand, and Miranda Hobbs is wearing some obnoxious collar on her shirt, so you decide to make a pattern out of it.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Unfortunately, my summer vacation was not very long this year. Coordinating schedules with my family is a difficult process, even just for a few days. But sometimes a weekend is just perfect - short but very, very sweet.

Traverse City, Michigan was hosting it's annual film festival this past weekend. They had a huge movie screen set up overlooking the bay and artsy-looking movie posters and signage up and down the streets. Although we didn't get a chance to view any of the films that were included, it was cool to walk around and see how the festival changed the town.

We made some time for some hanging out on the beach. Relaxation is not a thing my family does well, so this was a big deal.

We also took a drive and visited {Two Lads Winery} which ended up being super cool. The architecture of the building is very modern, with bright colors and large glass windows - something you don't see up north too often. I suggest you stop by if you're in the area!

If you haven't been to Northern Michigan, it is definitely worth the trip (no matter where you live). The sunsets, the water, the trees, the friendly folks - it's a hidden gem, people!

Friday, August 2, 2013

I'm heading up to Northern Michigan this weekend to spend some quiet time with my family (and my new nephew, Jack!). I went to the art supply store on my lunch break to get a new sketchbook and some new colored pencils.

Hopefully I'll have time to sketch some of the beautiful scenery that exists in Traverse City. The sunsets alone make you feel like you're looking at a giant watercolor painting.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Above is the preliminary sketch I sent over to Ryan and Jessica of the piece they asked me to do for their new home. They knew they wanted the subject matter to be sunflowers, but nothing really specific beyond that.

It's always a funny emotional process when I begin a commissioned piece. "This means something to them, but nothing to me." This is usually some variation of what I think to myself as I begin sketching the piece out.

However, as I spend time with the subject, I begin to feel a very strong emotional attachment to it. Every dab of paint, every mistake I feverishly brushed out, every line, every shadow is directly from my mind to the canvas. It's hard to not start feeling something for the creation that coming from somewhere inside of me.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Yes, the title of this blog post is a reference to Taylor Swift. Misleading as it is, this post is NOT however about Taylor Swift. It's about one of my favorite colors - RED.

Red looks so intentional, doesn't it? Whether your putting it on your feet, or painting a room, red is just so confident. I've only done one red painting (this one), but I think I need to do another one.

I've shied away from it because it's hard to notice anything else when the color red is included. It's hard to balance it out with any other color, except white. But I'm beginning to think that's what so great about it.

I'll keep you posted about the subject matter of my next red painting, but meanwhile, does anyone else have any tips when decorating, wearing, using the color red?

Thursday, July 25, 2013

There are some articles, some quotes that you come across that stay with you forever. Of all the quotes I've written down in my journal, song lyrics that I've transcribed because they explain a particular emotion on a particular day, etc. etc., the following is one of the two or three that really stick with me:

"Bad art won't revive your soul."

It's taken from this New York Time article. In the article, Cintra Wilson perfectly explains why I seem cherish and lust over certain pieces of expensive art and expensive clothing without using the word "amazing" (Is there really a more overused, detestable word?).

I can kind of describe it as the same feeling when you see someone you know you're about to fall in love with - your heart starts to beat fast and you don't know why, you are inexplicably drawn to it, you need to know more about it, you need to know it's back story, where it came from, who made it and you can't stop thinking about it.

If you have ever judged someone for investing in a beautiful handbag or a weird piece of "overpriced" art,I beg you to read this article. Oh! fine. Here are the best three paragraphs:"There are light years of difference between serious designer clothing and the stuff we buy in malls, hence the vast differences in affordability. It’s the same gulf that resides between mayonnaisey hotel paintings that chimps could be trained to create with a spatula, and the stuff in the permanent collection at the Met. If you squint really hard, the high-end stuff and low-end stuff can look fairly similar, but the fundamental difference is in the artistic energy invested in the garment or the painting itself. Bad art won’t revive your soul.I was in a vile mood when I walked into Oscar de la Renta, but hanging out in that little oasis was intoxicating enough to boost my spirit. There is such thought, feeling and desire to create beauty in these garments you can practically taste it.You don’t have to own monstrously beautiful, prohibitively expensive Oscar de la Renta garments any more than you need to own a genuine Kandinsky. But your life can generally be improved just by knowing such gorgeous stuff exists. That Keats guy said it: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty — that is all/Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”

Monday, July 22, 2013

I swear once I get a real camera, I'll stop taking pictures of my shoes.

This summer has been a season of reading for me. Usually I go through spurts where I read two or three books in a row, and then don't touch another one for a few months. However, this summer I can't seem to get enough. It also doesn't hurt that it seems the more I read, the faster reader I become. (Right? That's a thing, isn't it? Or is that just in my head?)

Currently, I'm reading "The Art of Fielding"by Chad Harbach. The reviews sing it's praises for the first two pages of the novel and the plot looked like a perfect summer read. I stumbled upon it because it was on one of the bookseller's "Ideal Bookshelf" along side Winnie The Pooh, which I throughly enjoyed, so I decided to give it a whirl!

I'm loving it so far and I don't even care that it's monopolizing my lunchtime trips to American Apparel.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

I give this advice to myself at least once a day. It can be scary. It can be impulsive. It can be, at times, even a bit self-destructive. But it can also push me to do things that would normally take a lot of courage. It immediately quiets those voices of self-doubt. It makes me trust my instinct. It's kind of crazy, but also kind of exciting.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

I have a very long list of people that would be frightened if they knew how much I loved them. Celebrities, mostly. And I'm not talking about emotional love, I'm talking about the your-work-your-mind-your-creativity-your-clothes-your-outlook-gives-me-chills kind of love. On the top of that list currently is: Lena Dunham, the creator of Breaking Bad, and Andy Spade.

I fell into the wormhole of Google one day and found myself reading article after article on this man. It began with an interest in his wife, Kate Spade, but hearing he was actually the brain child behind the super successful fashion line. It ended with me scrolling through his instagram for about an hour and making plans to go visit his art gallery, Partners & Spade, next time I'm in New York.

Each of his pictures on Instagram is everything a really perfect piece of art should be. It made me look at mundane things around me in a completely different way. It made me figuratively smack myself on the head thinking "Wake up and realize the beauty in a couple of pieces of cantaloupe left in a stainless steel dish!" It's inspiring. Take a look.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Designing your own website is overwhelming to say the least. Figuring out your style, what you WANT to be vs. who you actually are, what kind of people you want to attract, all while leaving room for growth is a daunting task.

This blog has been a great way to see the reoccurring themes that I come back to again and again. It takes some time to see how to apply it to a singular, cohesive vision (especially when my tastes range from this to this). It has to send the correct message out to the world of who I am and what I do.

It's a lot of pressure, ok!?

So how do you get there?

Well with any creative project, I think it first begins with self-acceptance. As hokey as that sounds, there are many times I try to change my style, my design aesthetic, what I like and what I feel to try to fit in the mold of what is expected or what is generally "liked" by the most amount of people. But at the end of the day, you are you and you can't help what you like and who you are. Recognize that. Accept that. Move on.

The second is either starting a blog, or a Tumblr, or a Pinterest account, anywhere you can quickly and instinctively start editing what you like and what you don't. The "why" you like something comes later. If you haven't gotten on one of these platforms, I suggest you do! Immediately! Once you see a collection of your images or ideas over the course of a few months, it doesn't take long to start seeing patterns - color palettes, tones, moods, etc. that you are drawn to over and over again. Take all these patterns, mush them together as best you can, and start incorporating them into what you're creating. You'll see what works and what doesn't pretty quickly. It's a real eye-opener and really fun.

The last step I would say would be start living to your true potential. All those big ideas? All that time wishing you were one of your idols? Dude! Just start doing it. Start BEING that person you want to be. Like for me, I always wished I was the person that had time to eat breakfast, drink tea, and do a crossword puzzle by myself on a weekday morning. So one Tuesday, I got up early, made myself breakfast, drank tea, and attempted a crossword puzzle. It felt good! It felt authentic! It makes the content I produce and the life I'm living feel inherently aspirational, yet also attainable. Because I aspired, and then I attained! (On a Tuesday, no less.)

So, I'm still in the early stages of designing. As you can see it's a long process, especially when you're taking on the task of doing it alone. I don't mind the challenge, but if YOU have any words of advice, please leave a comment! I could use all the help I can get!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Perhaps I should just ignore the fact that I haven't blogged in a month and just get right into it. However, I have to tell you that it was a much needed break. I thought about subject matter and inspiration constantly, but it was kind of nice not feeling like I had to put something, ANYTHING, up on my blog just so there was a daily (or weekly) post. That being said, I always have a longing to share the things I love and the cool stuff I come across, so I've rekindled that old flame. It feels so good! Stay tuned for DAILY posts from here on out, until I get my REAL site up and running. More on that tomorrow.

Now, onto Roasting Plant. My sister took me downtown over the past weekend to show me how they turned the center of Detroit (Campus Martius, to be exact) into a full on beach scene. Totally committed to the theme, Campus Martius is filled with sand, lounge chairs, families, fountains, etc.

And perfectly, Roasting Plant fits right in. It's only location outside of New York, New York, it's a modern and refreshing place right across the street from the "beach"- an ideal place to get an iced latte for a relaxing afternoon in midtown Detroit. I recommend any of their espresso drinks. They come with a strong bite but the beans couldn't be fresher. The surge of energy will do you good. I promise.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Happy Friday everyone! Today I'm sharing with a piece I recently did for my friend, Colleen! I wanted to make her something special as a wedding gift, so I decided to recreate her bridal bouquet, incorporating the original petals from the arrangement so that she'll always have a piece of that beautiful day with her!

Know of anyone getting married soon that would appreciate something similar? Send me a message or an email at mollydaudlin@gmail.com to get more info!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Whenever I daydream, I usually daydream about New York City. It's something I've done for as long as I can remember. And as you know, daydreams often lead to surfing the web. During one particular heavy hour of mind wandering, I stumbled across a future destination of mine - The Wythe Hotel.

I only supplied one image above of this beautiful, warm, minimalistic space, because I urge you to click the link to find out more. Go on a daydream of your own. :)

Monday, May 13, 2013

Design is a funny thing sometimes. I've learned that you appreciate great design without actually liking it. (The same can be said for people, things, ideas, etc.) As someone who is constantly looking to expand my horizons, learn new things, experience experiences, I'm always wondering, "Do I actually like this?" or is it more that I just appreciate this? I appreciate the time, the energy, the creativity, sure, but would I put these crazy shoes on my feet?

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Call it a New Years Resolution or a key item on my bucket list. Call it whatever you want, but just know that somehow, over the last three or four years of my life, I've had a dire need to learn how to make AND perfect french macarons.

I have attempted the process {with friends} but making them on your own is a whole different beast.

Yet what I've discovered over the last few months is how much fun creating things in the kitchen can be. Sure, it's a challenging and tedious process, but I'm no stranger challenges or tedious endeavors.

I never really thought about it before, but the kitchen is much like a canvas. Slight tweaks, trying again, starting over, messing up, getting it right - these are all things that we would all benefit from getting used to. Not only as artists or pastry chefs, but as people living and learning each day of our lives.

Call me crazy how deep this post got, but I've had a lot of time to think this last week! And yes, I have perfected the french macaron. And yes, be on the lookout for an exciting new business venture I'm working on ;).

Monday, April 22, 2013

What else are you supposed to when there are hexagons on the mirror, and you're waiting for your sister to come out of the dressing room?

I'm sorry I've neglected you, blog. You're my favorite creative outlet. A great escape. I've just gotten my hands dirty in so many different things in the last couple weeks, that it's hard for me to sit and concentrate on any one thing.

Books are overcrowding my nightstand, I've been making stuff in my kitchen (which is this new hobby of mine), I've been enjoying the unpredictable weather - there is no shortage of inspiration, just a shortage of time.

I hope to give you a taste of some of the new things that make me tick, every day this week!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

{Grosse Pointe Florist} is nestled in between gorgeous homes, in a pretty obscure place in my hometown of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. I'm not sure how/why they're allowed to exist smack-dab in the middle of neighborhood, but there they are. It's a perfect stop on the way home from less charming errands like getting gas or going to the bank.

Get your mom, BFF, or girlfriend a bouquet of tulips. Ask for extra ribbon. Trust me.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The weather is super unpredictable when it's not freezing, and everyone still wears their black down jackets over everything up until the beginning of May, just in case. Nothing looks more ridiculous than a pastel spring ensemble with a heavy down coat.

That's why I opt for saturated pastels. Bold colors that are a nice change from the neutrals of winter, but don't look out of place in 40 degree weather. Here's what I'm talking about:

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Above is my attempt at some handwritten typography. I've always had an itch to write in decoratives fonts.

Whether it be taking notes at my current job or decorating my planner in high school, the highlighters would come out and too much time was spent making a word like "Monday" or "homework" far more visually appealing than the meaning itself.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

I read an article a couple months ago about using retro-camping as inspiration for decorating a living room. The idea sounds crazy, but the room had awesome rustic details, Hudson Bay blankets, even a cool lighting fixture that looked like a tee-pee.

This spread in {Rookie Yearbook One} reminded me of that, except with a super girly twist. Patches, sashes, collared shirts, berets - maybe I won't be following this fashion receipe to a tea, but I'm definitely going to draw inspiration and use it... somewhere... at some point... right?

Sometimes cataloging things you love "just because" can come in handy for those days when it seems like nothing is exciting you.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

This Easter is going to be pretty low-key and I'm totally OK with that. This year will be staying at home and not visiting family like we usually do (which is a total bummer), but I'm not letting my favorite tradition be passed over just because we won't be entertaining company.

Dying Easter eggs instantly produce some of my favorite (and funniest) childhood memories. My dad and sisters would have big plans for gorgeous eggs every year. Very quickly, someone would think it would be HILARIOUS to take my precious egg(s) and dunk them in all the colors - leaving them a marbled brown hue. I would cry. But then I would laugh, because it's just an egg after all.

However, if that happened today I would most definitely cry. Once again, I have big plans. I'm planning on loading up on sharpies this year, and have cut out some of my favorite patterns to try to recreate on pastel-dyed eggs.

Stay tuned for some "Before & After" egg dying pics on my {Instagram account} sometime in the next week!

Monday, March 18, 2013

I'm a big fan of mixing and matching. But unless you follow some type of lose guidelines, your look could end up being all over the place. Here are a few ways to look like you put some thought behind the madness:

Friday, March 15, 2013

I feel like these last couple weeks in March are like the calm before the storm. St. Patrick's Day is Sunday, but other than that, I don't really have any plans. The weather is going to be terrible (ONCE AGAIN), so I might as well catch up on sleep, sketch in my bed while watching Netflix, and make an epic breakfast or two.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Sure! Her tumblr's name is a mouthful, but {Charlotte Audrey Owen-Meehan}'s blog deserves to be memorized. It's a delight for the eyes and it's a perfect place to spend your free-time this spring.

All of the images are simple items placed on pastel backgrounds transform from silly objects to sophisticated works of art. I wish I could pin the {archive view} and just be done with it because I'm obsessed with every. single. post.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

It was only a matter of time before my favorite thing (french macarons) would infiltrate my favorite activity (painting). I've fallen in love with this painting that I recently completed - the bright colors, the subject matter, the delicate but punchy overall look and feel. This painting would look great in a collage of other vibrant photographs or works of art.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

I happened upon {this post} by The Jealous Curator and basically wrote my blog for me today. The things that come out of simple concepts, like birthstones, never ceases to amaze me. What a cool birthday gift this would be for a friend, eh?

Monday, March 4, 2013

I first met Grace Coddington when I watched "The September Issue" back in 2007. Being the creative director of Vogue (and direct subordinate to Anna Wintour), I was inspired by tenacity and confidence in the documentary, but that pales in comparison to what I feel about her now after reading {her memoir}.

Grace Coddington's book is filled with anecdotes about her childhood, her professional endeavors, and a candid look at her personal relationships. However, after finishing the book this weekend, what struck me was the commitment she has to her craft.

She admits several times throughout the book how sensitive she is, how personally she takes criticism, and how she shys away from social occasions, but underlying these insecurities is an unwavering belief in herself and her own vision.

Friday, March 1, 2013

We've reached it, you guys. The finish line of February is upon us and I'm more than ready to cross the threshold into March.

This weekend will be spent working towards that are much harder to accomplish than just ripping pages off of a desk calendar. Things like running a half-marathon this summer, organizing my room, and putting more money in the ol' bank account are goals that take much more effort to accomplish.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

I'm a girl, so I was born with the "I love flowers" gene. Even if I was a dude, I'm pretty sure I'd still love a fresh bouquet on my nightstand. Because really, who doesn't?!

However, since it's February in Michigan, high-quality flowers are hard to comeby. I've remedied that problem by looking at low-quality pictures of flowers on the internet. It doesn't really have the same effect, but it has taught me a thing or two about which flowers I like and which I hate.

Ranunculus are definitely flowers that I love. They look like roses, but they're fuller and crinklier (and they were mentioned on Downton Abbey). These will definitely be added to my list of flowers I want at my wedding. Can you imagine these in white? Gorg!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Garage-sale art is a fine art. Sifting through pieces of trash in hopes of finding a treasure can be such a daunting task. But if you stick with it, the things you come across can be amazing. The mix of high-and-low does not only apply to wardrobes. Oftentimes, interior design lends itself perfectly to this concept, as well.

How great are these two pieces I came across? Would you believe they both can be found at a local resale shop? Such a great find!

Friday, February 22, 2013

One of the biggest things that draw me out of creative slumps, is thinking of two ideas that seem to be polar opposites and smush them together. It's amazing how many things work together. Colors, ideas, outfits, heck even people are sometimes the most unlikey of pairings, but somehow they work really well together.

Seen above is two images I love. I didn't know how awesome they would look together until I threw them in Photoshop. Now the inspiration is endless - Clouds of a magnificent yellow, a smokey texture with a text overlay, a painting of a sunrise that is crinkled and a bit destroyed, a light denim jacket with a pop of neon underneath with some black ballet flats. I hate to say the following cliche, but it's totally true: